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Snappy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Usage of definite/indefinite article
Does this conversation sound natural?
A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine?
B: Sure. It's easy. Open the top cover and press a small green button that is located on the back of the top cover.
Should it be "press the small green button" instead of "press a small green button" because there is only one small green button on the back of the top cover?
B did not know the existence of the small green button until A told B. Therefore, I'm wondering if either "press a small green button" or "press the small green button" will do in this case.
A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine?
B: Sure. It's easy. Open the top cover and press a small green button that is located on the back of the top cover.
Should it be "press the small green button" instead of "press a small green button" because there is only one small green button on the back of the top cover?
B did not know the existence of the small green button until A told B. Therefore, I'm wondering if either "press a small green button" or "press the small green button" will do in this case.
Top answer
Hi, Does this conversation sound natural? No, it doesn't. Here's the natural version.
- Hi, Does this conversation sound natural?
- No, it doesn't.
- Here's the natural version.
- A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine, please?
- B: Sure.
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5 Answers
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Hi,
Does this conversation sound natural? No, it doesn't. Here's the natural version.
A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine, please?
B: Sure. It's easy. Just press this button.
Clive
Does this conversation sound natural? No, it doesn't. Here's the natural version.
A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine, please?
B: Sure. It's easy. Just press this button.
Clive
00
CliveHi,
Does this conversation sound natural? No, it doesn't. Here's the natural version.
A: Can you tell me how to restart this machine, please?
B: Sure. It's easy. Just press
00
Hi,
Please guess when they talk to each other over the phone. OK, but you didn't say that.
On the phone, you wou
Please guess when they talk to each other over the phone. OK, but you didn't say that.
On the phone, you wou
00
Thanks.
English grammar books published in Japan explains:
"This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday.
"This is a doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made more than one doll yesterday.
Nevertheless, can I use "This is a doll that he made yesterday" in the following cases?
1. I do not know how many dolls he made
English grammar books published in Japan explains:
"This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday.
"This is a doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made more than one doll yesterday.
Nevertheless, can I use "This is a doll that he made yesterday" in the following cases?
1. I do not know how many dolls he made
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Hi again,
English grammar books published in Japan explains:
"This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday. Yes.
It also suggests that the listener is already aware that a doll was made.
You might like to consider these examples.
example 1.
I don't know you make dolls.
You walk i
English grammar books published in Japan explains:
"This is the doll that he made yesterday," suggests that he made only one doll yesterday. Yes.
It also suggests that the listener is already aware that a doll was made.
You might like to consider these examples.
example 1.
I don't know you make dolls.
You walk i
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